Avocado Self-Defense| This Is How Tancítaro Defends Its “Green Gold”

There is a municipality in Michoacán that stood up to organized crime. Located 60 km from Uruapan, within the Michoacán Volcanic Belt, lies Tanítaro—the avocado capital of the world. Every entrance to the municipality is guarded by barricades. 

Adolfo was just an ordinary avocado farmer. For years, he lived under the thumb of organized crime extortion until he finally said, “Enough is enough.” “We decided to take up arms and stop letting ourselves be subjugated as we had been for so long.” 

He became part of the so-called *autodefensas* (self-defense groups). Today, he stands guard at one of the barricades every single day. “We had no training—nothing. It was just sheer bravery, courage, and, well, risking many, many lives.” 

These barricades serve as the final line of defense established by the residents of Tanítaro to protect their municipality. It has become a safe haven within a territory otherwise engulfed by organized crime. They keep watch day and night. 

If criminals enter, they don’t leave. “Since everyone here carries radios and there are barricades all over the municipality, they simply can’t get out.” Their strategy worked, and Tanítaro regained its peace. 

“We have no kidnappings, no extortion to speak of, and no intentional homicides.” All the residents of Tanítaro participate in protecting their community alongside a police force highly trained in combat. 

“Yes, we have special training—specifically to match the combat capabilities of criminal groups.” When there is security, “green gold” flourishes. Tanítaro cultivates 35,000 hectares of avocados and is home to over 6,000 orchards. 

They fiercely defend their avocado production; it is the work that puts food on their families’ tables. Pedro protects it, even with weapons. He has had to open fire. “Man… I’d rather not get into the details.” In Tanítaro, there is no room for fear.

“It’s no longer about fear; it’s about facing life. It’s about standing up to defend what matters most—our families.” That courage has kept them alive, safe, and—finally—free.

Source: Azteca Noticias